Abstract

In the present work, sheet-like α-MoO3 nanostructures (NS) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate as a molybdenum source and nitric acid. The synthesized α-MoO3 NS have been characterized structurally and morphologically using various analytical techniques. The PXRD, FT-IR, Raman and XPS spectroscopic analysis results revealed the formation of phase pure α-MoO3. The SEM–EDX analysis further confirms the purity of the synthesized α-MoO3 NS. FE-SEM and HR-TEM results indicated that the synthesized α-MoO3 has sheet-like morphology. Further, the obtained α-MoO3 NS could be used as the effective photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B dyes. It was found that > 95% dye degradation efficiency was achieved for both the organic dyes within 90 min irradiation times. This enhanced photocatalytic activity of α-MoO3 can be attributed to the presence of a greater number of active sites in the sheet-like morphology that are more vulnerable for adsorption of organic dyes and subsequent elimination by decomposition under visible-light condition.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very thankful for the provided financial support through the Technical Education Quality Improvement program (TEQIP II), Anna University, BIT Campus, Tiruchirappalli, India. Also, CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi, is acknowledged for providing lab facility and a Central Instrumentation Facility.